Longhorn Cavern

September 3, 2013 12:35 AM

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling/San Antonio Express-News

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Al Gerow, 81, a retired geologist and tour guide at Longhorn Cavern near Burnet, leads a group down 52 steps to the cavern entrance. It's the first of three tours he'll lead (11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.) through the cavern on Mondays and Thursdays. He turns 82 on Sept. 16. less

Al Gerow, 81, a retired geologist and tour guide at Longhorn Cavern near Burnet, leads a group down 52 steps to the cavern entrance. It's the first of three tours he'll lead (11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.) through the ... more

A tour group assembles with guide Al Gerow outside the gate of the Longhorn Cavern near Burnet.

A tour group assembles with guide Al Gerow outside the gate of the Longhorn Cavern near Burnet.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

A tour group assembles with guide Al Gerow outside the gate of the... Photo-5130001.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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Al Gerow locks the gate behind us after his tour group goes inside the Longhorn Cavern for an hour-and-a-half tour in August.

Al Gerow locks the gate behind us after his tour group goes inside the Longhorn Cavern for an hour-and-a-half tour in August.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

Al Gerow locks the gate behind us after his tour group goes inside... Photo-5130002.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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Tour guide Al Gerow stops to talk about a particular area of the Longhorn Cavern during a tour in August.

Tour guide Al Gerow stops to talk about a particular area of the Longhorn Cavern during a tour in August.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

Tour guide Al Gerow stops to talk about a particular area of the... Photo-5130003.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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Al Gerow, wearing an American flag pin and a cross on his straw hat and carrying a walking stick and flashlight, stops to talk with a group on a tour he's leading through the Longhorn Cavern

Al Gerow, wearing an American flag pin and a cross on his straw hat and carrying a walking stick and flashlight, stops to talk with a group on a tour he's leading through the Longhorn Cavern

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

Al Gerow, wearing an American flag pin and a cross on his straw hat... Photo-5130004.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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A new energy-saving lighting system in the Longhorn Cavern helps spotlight special features and formations for tours.

A new energy-saving lighting system in the Longhorn Cavern helps spotlight special features and formations for tours.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

A new energy-saving lighting system in the Longhorn Cavern helps... Photo-5130005.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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An interesting formation is spotlighted in the Longhorn Cavern.

An interesting formation is spotlighted in the Longhorn Cavern.

An interesting formation is spotlighted in the Longhorn Cavern. Photo-5130006.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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Al Gerow leads the way deep into the Longhorn Cavern during and hour-and-a-half tour -- one of three he conducts every Monday and Thursday.

Al Gerow leads the way deep into the Longhorn Cavern during and hour-and-a-half tour -- one of three he conducts every Monday and Thursday.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

Al Gerow leads the way deep into the Longhorn Cavern during and... Photo-5130007.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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Al Gerow, a tour guide at Longhorn Cavern, is thought to be one of the oldest paid tour guides in the state park sytem, leading at least six tours a week. He's the on-site geologist after retirining from a career as a geologist and engineer for oil companies. less

Al Gerow, a tour guide at Longhorn Cavern, is thought to be one of the oldest paid tour guides in the state park sytem, leading at least six tours a week. He's the on-site geologist after retirining from a ... more

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

Al Gerow, a tour guide at Longhorn Cavern, is thought to be one of... Photo-5130008.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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Tour guide Al Gerow points out one of just a few bats still living in Longhorn Cavern.

Tour guide Al Gerow points out one of just a few bats still living in Longhorn Cavern.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

Tour guide Al Gerow points out one of just a few bats still living... Photo-5130009.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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A four legged creature clings to the wall near a spot where spiders are known to hang out in the cavern.

A four legged creature clings to the wall near a spot where spiders are known to hang out in the cavern.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

A four legged creature clings to the wall near a spot where spiders... Photo-5130010.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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"Soda straws" hang from the ceiling in the Longhorn Cavern between Burnet and Marble Falls.

"Soda straws" hang from the ceiling in the Longhorn Cavern between Burnet and Marble Falls.

Photo: Terry Scott Bertling, San Antonio Express-News

"Soda straws" hang from the ceiling in the Longhorn... Photo-5130011.69391 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Crystal formations in Longhorn Cavern State Park's cavern tour are one of few places where visitors are encouraged to touch the surfaces.

The Crystal formations in Longhorn Cavern State Park's cavern tour are one of few places where visitors are encouraged to touch the surfaces.